Technology has allowed us to have more drought-resistant crops. The spotty nature of drought the spotty nature of rains can sometimes result in better yields than anticipated.
Stupidity is something unshakable nothing attacks it without breaking itself against it it is of the nature of granite hard and resistant.
After World War II great strides were made in modern Japanese architecture not only in advanced technology allowing earthquake resistant tall buildings but expressing and infusing characteristics of traditional Japanese architecture in modern buildings.
The real point is that totalitarian regimes have claimed jurisdiction over the whole person and the whole society and they don't at all believe that we should give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.